Inner Sense: How the New Science of Interoception Can Revolutionize Your Health

Summary

Discover your elusive "sixth sense"—your brain's ability to perceive and interpret bodily sensations like hunger and thirst—and how to rewire your mind-body connection for optimal health.

Are you able to recognize your own heartbeat? What about thirst? In Inner Sense, science communicator Caroline Williams explains that some people are so insensitive to internal cues that they struggle to recognize basic needs like hunger or fatigue. While others only notice their body's signals when they become overwhelming. This disconnect between the brain's predictions and the body's sensations can lead to mental and physical health challenges, from chronic fatigue, to anxiety, to eating disorders. If this sounds like you—don't worry. It's not too late to tap into your interoceptive awareness.

Inner Sense delves into the fascinating field of interoception, speaking with doctors, scientists, and researchers about how our internal sensations influence our thoughts and actions—and how we can harness interoceptive awareness to improve health, relationships, and society as a whole. Williams explores cutting-edge interventions like mindfulness, biofeedback, targeted exercise, and even psychedelic therapy, which hold the potential to help us regulate emotions, reduce stress, and live better lives.